HOUSTON – Hard to say which way the rest factor would go in Sporting Kansas City’s visit to Houston for Sunday’s Eastern Conference semifinal opening leg. Sporting Kansas City was coming off an 11-day layoff; Houston had just three full days of rest to prep for this one.

So, did the layoff hurt Peter Vermes’ side? The Sporting Kansas City manager was having none of it. He credited Houston’s tactics, energy and ability to score two goals in a real scrapper of a match. He also said peripheral elements like heat – it was warm and a bit muggy, about like you get in Houston – the small field and less-than-ideal layoffs are just part of the game.

Said Vermes: “We don’t have any excuses. It is what it is. We just have to get on with the next game. They got the result at their place and now we have to go and do the same at our place.”